What is SMSC?

Students are encouraged to explore their beliefs; respect faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about themselves and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; and reflect. Students’ spiritual experience is developed through their ability to:

• be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values;
• find a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them;
• use imagination and creativity in their learning;
• show willingness to reflect on their experiences.

We help students to recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues and offer reasoned views. Students’ moral experience is developed through an:

• ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, readily apply this understanding in their own lives and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England;
• understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions;
• interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

We investigate moral issues; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the 'British values' of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance. Students’ social experience is developed through their:

• use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with students from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds;
• willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively;

acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; the students develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

We appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain's parliamentary system; participate in cultural opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity. Students’ cultural experience is developed through their:

• understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others;
• understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain;
• knowledge of Britain's democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain;
• willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities;

interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity, and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.